We are happy to announce that this year Camp Gonnawannagoagin’ will be held at Friends School at 1537 Laskin Rd. in the Hilltop section of Virginia Beach. Camp will be in session from July 7 through August 15, Mon.- Fri. from 9:00 to 3:00.

Our program accepts students with a primary diagnosis of autism regardless of ability level. Our campers all have strengths and needs. Our program is fully integrated and we have an equal number of special needs and typically developing students on campus. However, we will be offering 8 positions for students 15 to 21 with Asperger’s/ high functioning autism during the weeks of July 7, 14, 21, and 28. This group will participate in the same activities as the rest of the camp, but will have a lower staff to student ratio and an even greater emphasis on verbal/social skills. We will also be offering 6 positions each weeks beginning August 4 and 11 for students with challenging behaviors, especially aggression, who cannot be safely paired with peer buddies.

Our program is not equipped to serve students with profound physical disabilities including vision and hearing impairments. We do not have a nurse on duty and are unable to administer medications. Students who can take their medication given only verbal or gestural prompts, may take medication at camp.

Students with ASD may register for up to three weeks of camp. FACT does not provide transportation to and from our program. No payment is due at the time of application.

Within 10 days both the camper application and teacher assessment, you will receive an acceptance, request to select an alternative date of attendance, or notice of placement on the waiting list.

There will be a printable payment form attached to your acceptance email that must be returned to FACT via postal mail. Documentation for tuition assistance must be included with payment. All documentation and payments must be received by June 30 or your spot will be forfeited and given to the first applicant on the waiting list. Camp does fill. We can only accommodate 45 students with ASD per week.